HSK and HSKK: what the official test site says the tests are and what scores are used for

HSK (the Chinese Proficiency Test) is an international standardized test of Chinese language proficiency, organized by CTI Co., Ltd. (CTI). The HSK Speaking Test (HSKK) measures oral Chinese ability in three levels and is taken as an audio recording. This site is not affiliated with CTI or the Chinese Tests Service Website (chinesetest.cn).

What HSK is and who organizes it

The Chinese Proficiency Test/HSK is an international standardized test for Chinese language proficiency organized by CTI Co., Ltd. (CTI), a specialized international Chinese language education and testing service company (HSK page, About HSK). HSK assesses Chinese learners' abilities to use Chinese as a second language in their daily, academic, and professional lives through a standardized examination and evaluation with a uniform grading and scoring system (HSK page, About HSK).

What HSK scores are used for

HSK scores have become a requirement to prove Chinese language proficiency for international students to apply for admission, graduation, and scholarship in China (HSK page, Why choose HSK). For foreigners looking to work in China, a high HSK score can help demonstrate that proficiency to employers and government officials, and better the chances of obtaining a working visa (HSK page, Why choose HSK).

The page lists these uses of HSK scores (HSK page, Why choose HSK):

• College enrollment, level learning, course exemption, and course credits.
• Employee recruiting, training, and advancement.
• Evaluation of quality of teaching at colleges, schools, and other educational institutions.
• Heighten Chinese language learners' self-evaluation.

What the HSK Speaking Test (HSKK) is

The HSK Speaking Test assesses the test takers' oral Chinese abilities (HSK Speaking Test page, About the HSK Speaking Tests). It consists of three levels, including elementary, intermediate, and advanced (HSK Speaking Test page, About the HSK Speaking Tests). The HSK speaking test is conducted in the form of an audio recording (HSK Speaking Test page, About the HSK Speaking Tests).

The new HSK

The new HSK represents an evolution, optimization, and systematic upgrade of the existing test (HSK page, About the New HSK). Guided by the Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education, the new HSK has been upgraded from the current six-level system to a new "Three Stages, Nine Levels" framework, comprehensively covering elementary, intermediate, and advanced proficiency (HSK page, About the New HSK). It assesses candidates' abilities in five language skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and translation (at advanced levels) (HSK page, About the New HSK).

The new HSK introduces scientific adjustments and optimizations in various aspects, such as question types, number of questions, test duration, and listening speed, offering an enhanced test-taking experience (HSK page, About the New HSK). The new HSK test syllabus covers five components: tasks, topics, vocabulary, grammar, and Chinese characters (HSK page, About the New HSK).

HSK 3.0 launch notice

A notice published on 2026-09-09 states that HSK 3.0 will be officially launched worldwide on December 13, 2026 (Notice). The relevant arrangements are:

01 Test Date

December 13, 2026 (Notice, item 01).

02 Registration Period (Beijing Time)

• Paper-based Test: From now until 24:00 on November 16, 2026 (Notice, item 02).
• Computer-based Test: From now until 24:00 on December 03, 2026 (Notice, item 02).

03 How to Register

Please visit the Chinese Test Service Website at www.chinesetest.cn to find information about test centers in your country and register online (Notice, item 03).

A note on required levels

The HSK page (About HSK) and the HSK Speaking Test page name no level that any university or scholarship requires.

Sources

• HSK page (About HSK) — Chinese Tests Service Website (chinesetest.cn), CTI (Chinese Testing International)
• HSK Speaking Test page (About the HSK Speaking Tests) — Chinese Tests Service Website (chinesetest.cn), CTI (Chinese Testing International)
• Notice: HSK 3.0 will be officially launched worldwide on December 13, 2026! — Chinese Tests Service Website (chinesetest.cn), CTI (Chinese Testing International)

Checked 11 October 2026

This page is an unofficial summary and is not published by or affiliated with the Ministry of Education, the China Scholarship Council or any university. It is not legal advice, and the official text and the current notice of the university or authority handling your case prevail if they differ.